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With the recession a large number of people lost their jobs and had a difficult time looking for a good replacement. Career professionals who have been working for years in big corporations were not so lucky. Either they were laid off or the company they worked hard for had to shut down. They had to lay down their work uniforms and try their luck on either the same type of job or worse for something that was far below what they have been used to. But like what they believe, better a small job than no job at all. With the prices going up not having a job meant losing not only the small luxurious life but sometimes even their homes.

A jobs report showed that unemployment rate remained at 9.6 percent in September reflecting a stagnant labor force. If some permanent corporate employees and workers in different industries and trades lost their jobs, seasonal and holiday workers has to be scaled off too. With the dwindling number of shoppers, the demand for retail workers also decreased. So it was quite surprising and great news for all when some retail and department stores such as Toys “R” Us, Kohl’s Corp, and Macy’s Inc have signified a change in their seasonal hiring plans. They will be hiring more holiday workers and job seekers are hopeful that they will find one in time for Christmas.

According to a survey of 20 big retailers, 83 percent are planning to hire more people a significant change to the planned 40 percent reduction of staffs in 2009. It has been said that Toys “R” Us Inc. is hiring 45,000 holiday employees, Kohl’s Corp. is hiring 20 percent more workers; and Brookstone Inc. is adding 36 percent more. Big department stores like Macy’s Inc and JC Penney are also likely to increase their holiday workers to keep up with the expected higher demand. Seasonal workers who have not had much success the past season are optimistic with the change. Economists believe that this is a good sign that retailers are confident that consumers will be flocking stores and will be spending more this year compared to last year.

Every year there is always an increased need for retail workers from October to December to cope up with the greater demand. Some seasonal workers work in call centers, distribution warehouses and stores where they assist customers, ring up purchases and restock merchandise. College students, stay-at-home moms and people looking for some extra income are the ones who usually apply for these part-time positions. This year though, it is anticipated that there will be greater and more diverse competitive applicant pool as those who have shed their work uniforms when they were laid off are expected to wear their corporate apparel and apply for these positions too. And hopefully this positive news for workers would continue until the next year.